Six stories in the news today, Aug. 18 from The Canadian Press:

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NIGEL WRIGHT TO BE GRILLED AGAIN AT DUFFY TRIAL

Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s former chief of staff and Mike Duffy’s lawyer are expected to continue sparring today at the embattled senator’s trial in Ottawa. Nigel Wright was pressed Monday to explain a “scenario” co-ordinated between top aides in Harper’s office and Duffy that included having the senator publicly admit he made a mistake with his expenses and promise to repay them.

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B.C. OFFICIALS SEEK CAUSE OF DESTRUCTIVE WILDFIRE

British Columbia Forests Minister Steve Thomson says officials are seeking a video that apparently shows how a massive wildfire that has destroyed 30 homes in southeast B.C. was sparked by a flicked cigarette. The 37-square-kilometre Rock Creek wildfire started last Thursday and is burning out of control east of the southern Okanagan town of Osoyoos.

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FORMER PARAMEDIC FACES SENTENCING IN SEX ASSAULT

A former paramedic is scheduled to be sentenced today after being convicted of sexually assaulting a 71-year-old woman in the bedroom of her rural Nova Scotia home. James Duncan Keats is to appear in court in Windsor, N.S.

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DOCTORS GROUP RELEASES REPORT ON ASSISTED DEATH

The Canadian Medical Association has released the results of a major consultation with members about the best framework for providing physician-assisted death. The CMA report will be the basis for a debate among delegates at the association’s annual meeting in Halifax next week.

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PLANS FOR NEW HOME FOR CALGARY FLAMES EXPECTED TODAY

The president of the Calgary Flames is expected to detail plans for a new arena for the NHL team today. Talk of a replacement for the aging Saddledome has been circulating for years, and Ken King is scheduled to give an update on what is called the CalgaryNEXT project.

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CANADIAN WRISTBAND AIMS TO LOCK IN SECURITY SPACE

Strapping your wallet, house keys and a database of passwords onto your wrist would make life a lot easier, and one Canadian company has created a way to link all of that information with an extra level of security tied to your heartbeat. Nymi is one of the latest entrants to the crowded wearables market, which is dominated by the hype of the Apple Watch and a wide selection of fitness trackers.

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